By David Owei,Bayelsa

Operatives of the Operation Puff Adder of the Bayelsà State Police Command have arrested a 38 years old man, Iliasu Mohammed over his alleged involvement in the 2022 shooting of a Police Inspector,Ekperi Edwin in the stomach and left for dead in Yenagoa,the State capital.

The Police Inspector, Ekperi Edwin Osuo, was shot on August 21, 2022 and left for dead by unidentified gunmen along his street at Akenfa, Yenagoa during what police sources described as an alleged armed robbery and attempted assassination.

The police inspector was reported to have sustained life-threatening injuries and underwent emergency surgery, with pellets still reportedly lodged in his body over three years after the incident.

The case however took a new dimension following allegations that a key suspect linked to the crime was released under questionable circumstances after being handed over to the Nigeria Police Force by the military.

New sources told our correspondent that a new petition to the State Commissioner of Police, Daniel Iyamah. was minutes to the special tactical and intelligence-driven unit of the State Command headed by CSP Chris Nwaogbo.

A suspect connected to the case is currently in police custody and is expected to be arraigned in court, marking the first concrete prosecutorial step since the incident occurred.

Police sources described the move as part of efforts by the new commissioner of police to ensure a thorough, impartial, and intelligence-led investigation, given the sensitivity of the case and the status of the victim as a serving police officer.

Senior Security Sources however revealed that the takeover by Operation Puff Adder signals renewed commitment by the Nigeria Police Force to address unresolved violent crimes, especially those involving attacks on its personnel

Police authorities have confirmed that investigations are ongoing and assured that the matter will be investigated thoroughly.

Already, the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) of the State Ministry of Justice has approved the case for prosecution and the Police is awaiting the arraignment of the suspect in the State High Court.

By David Owei

The National Secretary of the Ijaw National Congress INC, Engineer Ebipamowei Wodu has submitted his interest/nomination form to contest as President.

Wodu, who is one of the leading aspirant to succeed Professor Benjamin Okaba, was accompanied to the Ijaw House, the Secretariat of the INC amidst pump and peagentry with scores of aspirants endorsing him as the most qualified for the job.

Speaking with newsmen, Engineer Ebipamowei Wodu said he played pivotal role in assisting the current leadership of the Association headed by Professor Benjamin Okaba in reviving the INC from the state of comatose.

According to Engineer Wodu, from the beginning of the struggle, there has never being a membership register until the present executive took over office and as an Engineer, he assisted the INC to draw a road map linking Ijaw communities in the coastal region.

Highlighting other achievements, Engineer Wodu explained that with his wealth of experience as National Secretary who as held several offices, if given the opportunity to pilot the affairs of INC, he will consolidate of the gains recorded and move the Ijaw nation to greater heights.

Aspirant for the the position of Vice President 2, Dame Rose Obioforibo from Eastern zone described, Engineer Wodu as a team player who listens but passionate about the Ijaw struggles .

Another Aspirant vying for the position Vice President 3, Chief Kennedy Odiowei said Engineer Wodu is the most qualified among contestants because he competent and capable to deliver if given the mandate, calling on delegates and aspirants to vote for him.

Also Aspirant contesting for the National Secretary, Chief Philip Brown-Agu said his decision to the join Engineer Wodu campaign team was because of his track record and leadership style as National Secretary of INC, describing him as a better candidate with innovations that can move the Ijaw nation to the next level.

By Nelson Ogbu

Former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has declared that Nigerian legislators who lack strong grassroots support are political hostages in the hands of state governors.

Mark made the assertion while chairing the public presentation of the book The Burden of Legislators in Nigeria at the NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, where he delivered a blunt assessment of the power imbalance between the executive and the legislature in Nigeria’s democratic system.

According to him, the legislature, though the backbone of democracy, is the most vulnerable and most attacked arm of government, constantly under pressure from governors, political parties, the judiciary, the electorate and internal legislative weaknesses.

He said governors, as de facto leaders of party structures in the states, wield enormous influence over lawmakers, warning that at the slightest provocation, a governor can deny a legislator the party ticket or deploy state power to frustrate legislators who belong to opposition parties.

“Once you are elected, the problem becomes compounded,” Mark said, noting that many legislators operate in fear of governors who control party machinery and political structures.

However, he stressed that the situation is reversible. Mark argued that when a legislator is deeply rooted in his senatorial district with massive grassroots backing, the power dynamics change. “If you are strong in your constituency, instead of being at the mercy of your governor, the governor will be at your mercy,” he said.

The former Senate President explained that this conviction informed his decision to begin his political career in the legislature, not because it was glamorous, but because it remains the most important pillar of democracy. He urged Nigerians to exercise patience with lawmakers, noting that legislators are burdened with responsibilities that often arise from weak grassroots governance and failed service delivery.

Author of the book, Senator Effiong Bob, said the memoir is intended as a practical handbook for current and aspiring legislators, detailing the path to parliament, the realities of legislative work and the pressures of representation. He added that the book confronts key challenges such as excessive constituency demands and the damaging influence of political godfatherism, particularly in candidate selection.

The event attracted prominent political figures, including Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Enoh, and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. The book was reviewed by Prof. Maxwell Gidado, SAN, and published by Premium Times.